Modified gene sequences encoding choline oxidase and a method for preparing betaine usng the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides at least two modified gene sequences, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequences have been obtained by modifying the codA gene (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis, and a method to enzymatically produce betaine using choline oxidases encoded by Sequence 1, and Sequence 2, wherein the enzymatically produced betaine has minimal undesired trimethylamine contamination.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to novel and modified gene sequences encoding the enzyme choline oxidase and a method for enzymatically preparing betaine using the same. More specifically, the invention provides at least two modified gene sequences encoding choline oxidase, and a method for producing betaine from choline chloride using the modified choline oxidase encoded by the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Betaine, also known as trimethyglycine, glycine betaine, lycine, and oxyneurine, is a neutral chemical compound and acts as a zwitterion. It has a positively charged cationic functional group such as a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium cation and a negatively charged functional group such as a carboxylate group which may not be adjacent to the cationic site.

Betaine is a modified amino acid consisting of glycine with three methyl groups that serves as a methyl donor. Biologically, it is as a methylating agent and is involved in methylation reactions and detoxification of homocysteine.

Glycine betaine, N,N,N-trimethylglycine, was first discovered in sugar beets (Beta vugalris), and hence named betaine. It is naturally found in many foods such as wheat, spinach, sugar beets and other plant derived products. Apart from plants it exists in microorganisms and animals as well. The physiologic function of betaine is either as an organic osmolyte to protect cells under stress or as a catabolic source of methyl groups via transmethylation for use in many biochemical pathways. In environments with limited water content and/or raised salinity, betaine can be synthesized and accumulated by certain living organisms. The mobilization of betaine from the accumulated sources involves an increase in the intracellular osmotic pressure and the capacity of the cells to retain water, making it possible for the organisms to maintain their homeostasis and thus facilitating their adaptation to the medium.

Betaine has several applications such as: an amino acid supplement in animal feed; as an osmo-protectant in farmed fish feed; as supplement in human food products such as protein powders; veterinary medicine as hepato-protectant in cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and horses;

cystadane (betaine anhydrous for oral solution) is indicated for the treatment of homo-cystinuria to decrease elevated homo-cysteine blood levels; betaine hydrochloride is used as a digestive aid, and in cosmetic compositions for protection against skin damage and ageing. Most of the animals (poultry, swine, etc.) which are grown for meat production are under considerable stress (rapid growth, high energy diets etc.); and adding supplemental betaine helps the overall health of the animal.

There are four basic routes to obtain betaine: extraction from naturally occurring compounds, chemical synthesis, fermentation and enzymatic synthesis.

1) Natural route: Betaine is naturally synthesized in beet root/beet molasses, and most of the betaine is derived from such natural sources. Betaine is a by-product along with glycerol, lactic acid, and succinic acid during fermentation of beet molasses into ethanol and stillage. Beet molasses from the sugar plants are fermented to produce ethanol. Waste stream produced after distillation is called vinasse, rich in betaine. The vinasse is passed through chromatography columns to isolate and crystallize betaine as an anhydrous salt. This and the variants of this process are the only source of natural betaine of varying grade to meet the current market demand. Natural sources of betaine are, however, limited and are variable. Frequently, climate variations seriously reduce the production of betaine from natural sources and may be insufficient to meet the prospective demands for the product.

2) Chemical route: There are several chemical routes for synthesis of betaine and the principal reactants in the process are trimethylamine and monochloroacetic acid. Betaine is synthesized chemically by reacting Trimethylamine Mono Chloroacetic acid and/or HCl to yield anhydrous or HCl salt of betaine. This is followed by a series of evaporation and purification steps. Nevertheless, the betaine produced by chemical synthesis has traces of trimethylamine in range of 2-8 g/Kg betaine which is undesirable for many applications.

This results in subdued performance of chemically synthesized betaine compared to betaine extracted from natural sources.

3) Fermentation route: U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,008 A provides a method to recover betaine, and glycerol during fermentation of natural products such as sugar beets for production of ethanol. This process involves clarification of stillage produced during the fermentation process by subjecting the stillage to a cross-flow microfiltration process utilizing inorganic membranes followed by at least two ion-exchange chromatographic process to separate glycerol and betaine. This is followed by further purification of betaine.

However, in this process betaine is only a by-product and the said process provides a good method to efficiently recover betaine from the fermentation waste. The fermentation route is still in early developmental stage, thus time to market at a competitive price is uncertain.

4) Enzymatic process: Betaine is enzymatically synthesized using the enzyme choline oxidase (EC 1.1.3.17) which catalyses the following reaction:

choline+O₂→betaine+H₂O₂

Choline oxidase is produced by bacteria belonging to the genus Arthrobacter, Alkaligenes, Brevibacterium, and Corynebacterium; mold fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus, Cylindrocarbon, Fusarium, Gibbella, and Penicillium; and actinomycetes belonging to the genus Streptomyces and others.

Choline oxidases are oxido-reductases acting on the CHO group of the donor that participates in the metabolism of glycine, serine and threonine with oxygen as electron acceptor. The biochemical characteristics of this enzyme are isoelectric point 4.6, molecular weight about 71,000-84,000 Da, has substrate specificities for choline and betaine aldehyde, requires no coenzyme, Thermal stability below 40° C. for 10 minutes and optimum temperature of 40-45° C.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,980 describes the first patented choline oxidase gene isolated from Arthrobacter sp. which had optimum pH 8 (tris-HCl buffer); isoelectric point: 4.6; and the optimum temperature was about 40° C.

Several applications of the enzyme choline oxidase and its substrate/product betaine have been reported in prior art documents such as:

U.S. Ser. No. 09/443,087 discloses polypeptides having choline oxidase activity and nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide from Fusarium venenatum. The invention provides method of isolation, integration into recombinant vectors, and method of expression of the polypeptides having choline oxidase activity by transforming host cells (microorganisms or plant cells) with the recombinant vectors. The invention provides improved polypeptides having choline oxidase activity over the known polypeptides for use in methods requiring choline oxidase activity such as chemiluminescent detection assays for the measurement of choline, lecithin, choline esterase activity, and phospholipase C and D activities. The invention also provides improved nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides having choline oxidase activity which may be used for enhancing cold and salt tolerance of organisms, especially plants, e.g. Arabidopsis.

Previously reported choline oxidases derived from Arthrobacter sp. showed thermostability at 40° C. at a pH around 8.0. Choline oxidase derived from Alkaligenes had molecular weight of 95,000, whose thermal stability was not higher than 37° C. Choline oxidases derived from mold and fungi showed optimal activity at around 35° C.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,088 describes novel thermostable choline oxidase enzymes with optimal pH range of 7.5 to 9 and optimal temperature range of about 40-55° C. These choline oxidases were derived from actinomycetes capable of producing choline oxidase and of growing at 45° C. or higher, including the genera the genera Streptomyces, Thermoactinomyces and Saccharopolyspora. This was a significant improvement over the existing choline oxidases due to the increase in thermostability of the enzyme at higher temperatures. This is a desirable feature owing to the use of the enzyme in the fields of chemical analyses and clinical tests. However, the major requirement was growing the actinomycetes sp. at temperature not less than 45° C. for producing thermostable choline oxidase. Moreover, the enzyme showed stability in a very narrow pH range i.e. pH 7.5-9.Nevertheless, there is a need to develop choline oxidase enzyme with wider stability for use in a wide range of applications. CN1185349C discloses use of gene of choline oxidase for generating transgenic temperature-tolerant plants for coping stress conditions. Gene encoding choline oxidase was integrated and expressed using recombinant DNA technology in plants such as cyanobacteria, brassicaceous plants and gramineous plants to make them temperature-tolerant. The invention also provides temperature-tolerant plants produced by said method or progenies thereof having the same properties. According to the invention, these transgenic plants obtained by inserting codA gene encoding choline oxidase derived from Arthrobacter globiformis showed tolerance to both of high and low temperatures.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,063 discloses use of betaine as a dietary supplement in pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing fatty infiltration, the first stage of cirrhosis of the liver comprising and administering of not less than 1500 mg of betaine per kg of body weight per day. Dietary supplementation of betaine was shown to completely protect against liver fatty infiltration in rats exposed to prolonged ethanol intake as well as carbon tetrachloride. However, for consumption by humans, it is required to use betaine which has minimal contaminants such as trimethylamine which are hazardous to health. Hence, there is a need to synthesize betaine in an economical and a safe manner

EP966253 discloses use of choline oxidase in a composition for coloring or dyeing hair. The invention relates to a ready-to use composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres, and in particular of human keratin fibres such as the hair, wherein the composition comprises of a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidation base, choline oxidase, and at least one donor for the said choline oxidase, as well as to the dyeing process using this composition. The choline oxidase used in the ready-to-use dye composition in accordance with the invention preferably represents from 0.01 to 20%, more preferably from 0.1to 5% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the ready-to-use dye composition.

US20070042377A1 discloses use of choline oxidase in a nanoparticle based biosensor, wherein the sensor is for determining the presence of an analyte in a test sample, said sensor comprising a nanoparticulate membrane comprising nanoparticles of at least one inorganic oxide of an element selected from Group IA, IIA, IIIA,IVA, IB, IIB, IIIB, IVAB, VB, VIB,VIII3 or VIIII3 of the Periodic Table,and wherein an oxidoreductase and an electrochemical activator are diffusibly dispersed in said nanoparticulate membrane. The sensor may use other oxidoreductases other than choline oxidase such as glucose oxidase, hydrogen peroxidase, horseradish peroxidase, xanthine oxidase, cholesterol oxidase, hydrogen hydrogenase and others.

FR2877843 discloses use of product of choline oxidase, betaine, in a cosmetic or dermatological composition to prevent and/or to treat damage on the skin caused by hydric, thermal or UV induced stress and ageing of skin. More particularly, the invention refers to the use of betaine like a protective agent of the cutaneous cells subjected to a stress, in particular when it is of a hydrous nature, thermal or induced by the ultraviolet radiations (UV).The betaine used within the framework of the invention is preferably of vegetable origin, preferentially extracted from sugar beet. Betaine is obtained after purification by chromatographic separation, concentration, crystallization and drying. Preferably, the cosmetic compositions according to the invention contain from 0.01 to 10% of betaine in weight of the cosmetic composition.

US20050282261 discloses novel choline oxidases isolated from Arthrobacter nicotianae and Arthrobacter aurescens, and a hybrid choline oxidase fused from portions of the two above-stated enzymes. These choline oxidases were capable of continuously releasing hydrogen peroxide from choline and choline derivatives with the assistance of atmospheric oxygen with formation of betaine aldehyde and betaine; and exhibited an elevated specific rate of hydrogen formation. These choline oxidases were stable at in a pH range of 6-12, especially at a pH of 8-10; and at a temperature range from 10-70° C. and especially in the temperature range from 25-40° C. This provided a tremendous advantage for use in various industrial applications. The invention disclosed use of these enzymes as a bleaching agent for dye transfer inhibition and for disinfection. This included use of choline oxidase in compositions of:

a) personal healthcare products such as -body care products, shampoos, hair care products, hair dyes or bleaches, oral care, tooth care or denture care products, cosmetics;

b) detergents and cleaning agents, rinsing agents, hand washing detergents, hand dishwashing detergents, machine dishwashing detergents; and

c) disinfectants and agents for bleaching or disinfectant treatment of filter media, textiles, furs, paper, skins or leather.

The invention also discloses use of these choline oxidases as a signaling reagent for the production of a light emission in a chemiluminescence assay; and use of betaine, enzymatic product of choline oxidase, in human food and animal feed as a diet supplement.

Prior art provides several uses of choline oxidase enzyme and its enzymatic product betaine in many industrial applications, dietary supplements, and cosmetic and detergent compositions. However, the major roadblock is producing choline oxidase and betaine at industrial scale.

Obtaining betaine from the natural products is not cost-effective, and therefore, the growing demand of betaine is currently met by chemically synthesized betaine whose performance is subdued. Thus, an alternate route more so using enzymatic conversion of choline using choline oxidase will lead betaine which has properties similar to the naturally obtained betaine with minimal contaminants Though several reports provide use of choline oxidase, but none advocate or demonstrate the use of choline oxidase to synthesize betaine at commercial scale.

The present invention takes into account the drawbacks of the prior art and provides novel gene sequences for encoding choline oxidase and a method to enzymatically produce betaine with properties similar to betaine extracted from natural products.

Object of the Invention

The main object of the invention is to provide a modified gene sequence, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1 encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequence has been obtained by modifying the codA gene, i.e. said codA gene identified as Sequence ID No. 3 (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis, and a method to enzymatically produce betaine using choline oxidases encoded by Sequence 1.

Another alternative object of the invention is to provide a modified gene sequence, Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequences have been obtained by modifying the codA gene, i.e. said codA gene identified as Sequence ID no. 3, (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis, and a method to enzymatically produce betaine using choline oxidases encoded by Sequence 2.

Another object of the invention is to provide modified choline oxidases which are more thermostable at higher temperatures for longer period of time compared to native choline oxidase derived from Arthrobacter globiformis.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide enzymatically synthesized betaine with properties similar to betaine obtained from naturally occurring products.

Yet another object of the invention is to enzymatically produce betaine with minimal contamination of undesired trimethylamine which adversely affects the activity of betaine.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for enzymatically producing betaine for industrial application using substrate choline chloride and modified gene sequences encoding choline oxidase, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, derived by modifying the native gene sequence of codA gene, i.e. said codA gene identified as Sequence ID no. 3, (Accession no. X84895) encoding native choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for enzymatically producing betaine for industrial application using substrate choline chloride and modified gene sequences Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2,derived by modifying the native gene sequence of codA gene, i.e. said codA gene identified as Sequence ID no. 3, (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for producing betaine using modified choline oxidase enzymes encoded by Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 2, and choline in economical manner.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide modified choline oxidases encoded by modified genes of choline oxidase which are more stable than the native choline oxidase.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide modified choline oxidases tagged with a ligand or a tag on the N′ or C′ terminal which are comparatively more stable at higher temperatures for longer period of time compared to similarly tagged native choline oxidase derived from Arthrobacter globiformis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides at least two modified gene sequences, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequences have been obtained by modifying the codA gene, i.e. said codA gene identified as Sequence ID no. 3, (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis, and a method to enzymatically produce betaine using choline oxidases encoded by Sequence 1, and Sequence 2.

In the preferred embodiment the invention provides at least two modified gene sequences, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequences have been obtained by modifying the codA gene, i.e. said codA gene identified as Sequence ID no. 3, (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis.

In an embodiment the present invention relates to at least two recombinant vectors carrying at least one modified gene Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase; wherein the recombinant vector comprises of a nucleic acid sequence of the present invention, a promoter, transcriptional and translational stop signals, and optionally of nucleic acid sequence encoding a tag, particularly His-tag, on either the N′ or C′ terminal of the encoded polypeptide sequence of choline oxidase of present invention. More specifically, the present invention relates to expression of nucleotide encoding the enzyme choline oxidase in a T7 expression system, wherein the choline oxidase polypeptide is tagged on either its N′ or C′ terminal with an appropriate tag molecule or ligand, more particularly His-tag, or not tagged.

In another embodiment the present invention provides two recombinant microorganisms transformed with at least one recombinant vector carrying at least one modified gene

Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase; wherein the recombinant microorganism is preferably Escherichia coli but not limited thereto.

In another embodiment the invention provides a method for producing modified choline oxidase encoded by either Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, using recombinant microorganisms transformed with recombinant vectors.

In yet another embodiment the invention provides a method for producing betaine enzymatically by converting choline to betaine using the modified choline oxidases encoded by either Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2.;wherein the enzyme, modified choline oxidase, is immobilized over a solid support.

The method of producing betaine from choline using the modified choline oxidase comprises the steps of:

1) making a reaction mixture comprising of:

-   -   a) choline aqueous solution (1-50% by weight, more preferably         15-30%),and     -   b) Catalase or Peroxidase 2-100 units/ml

2) carrying out a reaction using the reaction mixture in a reactor at a temperature of 20-40° C. and pH 6-9, more preferably at a temperature of from about 30-37° C. and at a pH range of 7.5-8.5; and

3) on completion of the reaction, separating the enzyme from the mixture and initiating a fresh set of reaction by contacting the recovered enzyme with a fresh reaction mixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings: FIG. 1 depicts a graph showing the activity of modified choline oxidase encoded by Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 1, at various pH conditions;

FIG. 2 depicts a graph showing the activity of modified choline oxidase encoded by Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 2, at various pH conditions;

FIG. 3 depicts a graph showing the activity of modified choline oxidase encoded by Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 2, at various temperatures after incubating at the respective temperatures for 20 mins (short-term exposure to different temperatures);

FIG. 4 depicts a graph showing the activity of modified choline oxidase encoded by Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 2, at 37° C. after incubating at the respective temperatures for up to 120 mins (long-term exposure);

FIG. 5 depicts a graph comparing the activities of native choline oxidase derived from Arthrobacter globiformis and of modified choline oxidase encoded by Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 1., at 45° C. when the enzymes were tagged with a ligand or a tag, more particularly His-tag; and

FIG. 6 depicts a graphical representation of conversion ratio of choline to betaine using modified choline oxidase encoded by Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

The present invention provides a modified gene sequence, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequence has been obtained by modifying the codA gene, i.e. Sequence ID no. 3, (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis, and a method to enzymatically produce betaine using choline oxidases encoded by Sequence 1.

The present invention further provides an alternative modified gene Sequence 1 i.e. Sequence 2, comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequence has been obtained by modifying the codA gene, i.e. Sequence ID no. 3, (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis, and a method to enzymatically produce betaine using choline oxidases encoded by Sequence 2.

In the preferred embodiment the invention provides at least two gene sequences, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequences have been obtained by modifying the codA gene, i.e. Sequence ID no. 3, (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the invention relates to at least two recombinant vectors carrying at least one modified gene Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase; wherein the recombinant vector comprises of a nucleic acid sequence of the present invention, a promoter, transcriptional and translational stop signals, and optionally of nucleic acid sequence encoding a tag, particularly His-tag, on either the N′ or C′ terminal of the encoded polypeptide sequence of choline oxidase of present invention. More specifically, the present invention relates to expression of nucleotide sequence encoding the enzyme choline oxidase derived from Arthrobacter globiformis in a T7 expression system, wherein the choline oxidase polypeptide is tagged on either its N′ or C′ terminal with an appropriate tag molecule or ligand, more particularly His-tag. The recombinant vector system can be any vector (linear or circular), a plasmid or a virus, into which the nucleotide sequence of the present invention can be inserted using recombinant DNA technology.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the invention relates to at least two recombinant microorganisms transformed with at least one recombinant vector carrying at least one modified gene Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase; wherein the recombinant microorganism is preferably Escherichia coli but not limited thereto.

In yet another embodiment the invention provides a method for producing modified choline oxidase encoded by either Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, using recombinant microorganisms transformed with recombinant vectors carrying at least one modified gene

Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase. The method comprises the following steps of:

-   -   1) culturing recombinant microorganisms transformed with         recombinant vectors carrying modified choline oxidase encoded by         either Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID         no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID         no.2, in an appropriate nutrient media either complex or         synthetic for 20-48 hrs, preferably for 30 hrs, at temperature         range of 20-42° C., preferably at 25° C., in a medium of pH         range of 6-8.5, preferably 6.5-7.5;     -   2) inducing the recombinant cells to produce choline oxidase         enzyme by treating them with isopropyl         β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) or any other inducer based on         the T7 expression system carrying the modified gene encoding         choline oxidase (the enzyme generally accumulates as soluble         fraction and/or in inclusion bodies inside the microbes         depending upon the fermentation process parameters);     -   3) separating the microorganisms from the nutrient media by         either centrifugation or tangential flow filtration to obtain a         harvest of microorganisms;     -   4) grinding or lysing or using digestive enzymes for breaking         the harvested microorganism cells open to release the inner         contents including inclusion bodies containing the enzyme,         choline oxidase; and     -   5) isolating and purifying the enzyme choline oxidase by a         combination of methods such as salting-out with ammonium         sulfate, precipitation with an organic solvent such as ethanol,         etc., ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, affinity         chromatography, and the like.

In yet another embodiment the invention provides a method for producing betaine enzymatically by converting choline to betaine using the modified choline oxidases encoded by either Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2.;wherein the enzyme, modified choline oxidase, is immobilized over a solid support. The choline was treated with choline oxidase using either a batch orcontinuous process. In either case, it was preferred that the enzyme, choline oxidase, be immobilized by a water-insoluble support, usually a polymer, either by physical absorption, covalent bonding, or by entrapment. In the first two methods of immobilization, a choline oxidase/water-insoluble polymer conjugate was formed which makes retention and recycling of the enzyme possible. Synthetic supports which are suitable for use with the present invention include polymers based upon acrylamide, maleic anhydride, methacrylic acid, and styrene; natural supports include agarose, cellulose, dextran and starch; and commonly used adsorbents which have been used to immobilize enzymes include affinity resins, calcium carbonate, cellulose, clays, collagen, diatomaceous earth, hydroxylapatite and the like. Another suitable method for the immobilization of the choline oxidase is by use of a hollow fiber reactor. This type of system is preferable where contamination of active chemical residues needs to be avoided, as for example in the production of food stuffs.

The method for producing betaine enzymatically by converting choline to betaine using the modified choline oxidases comprising the steps of:

-   -   1) making a reaction mixture comprising of:         -   a) choline aqueous solution (1-50% by weight, more             preferably 15-30% by weight) 0.1-0.5 M, more preferably 0.14             M;         -   b) Catalase or Peroxidase 2-100 units/ml     -   2) carrying out the reaction using the reaction mixture in a         reactor at a temperature of 20-40° C. and pH 6-9, more         preferably at a temperature of from about 30-37° C. and at a pH         of 7.5-8.5; and     -   3) on completion of the reaction, separating the enzyme from the         mixture and initiating a fresh set of reaction by contacting the         recovered enzyme with a fresh reaction mixture;

wherein,

hydrogen peroxide catalyzing agents may be added to the solution to inhibit the inactivation of the choline oxidase due to hydrogen peroxide levels to improve the efficiency of the process;

multivalent cations such as KCl or MgCl₂are commonly used as thermal stabilizers and/or cofactors; and

choline to betaine conversion is 1:1 at molar level.

The present invention is more fully described hereinafter and with reference to illustrative examples. It is to be understood, however, that these examples are presented in order to more fully describe the present invention, and are correspondingly not intended to be construed to limit the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis and Extraction of Modified Choline Oxidase

Modified choline oxidase enzyme was synthesized using fermentation process by recombinant Escherichia coli transformed with recombinant vectors carrying at least one gene coding for choline oxidase, either Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2.

The medium required for the production of choline oxidase can either be synthetic or complex medium which comprises of a carbon source, nitrogen source, inorganic substance and other nutrients. Examples of carbon source include glucose, sodium gluconate, glycerol and the like; examples of nitrogen source include tryptone, peptone, casein digest, yeast extract, and the like; and examples of inorganic substance include sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, cobalt, and the like which are usually contained in a normal medium. Examples of preferred medium is 1% tryptone, 0.5% yeast extract, 2-3% glucose, 1.0% K₂HPO₄, 0.1% NaH₂PO₄, 0.05% MgSO₄·7H₂O, 0.01% CaCl₂·2H₂O and 0.01% vitamin mixture and 0.02% trace metal mixture, in which tryptone and yeast extract is used as the sole nitrogen source, and glucose as the carbon source.

The cultivation of recombinant E. coli was normally done at temperature range of 20-42° C., preferably at 25° C., in a medium of pH range of 6-8.5, preferably 6.5-7.5 and the cells were cultured for 20-48 hrs, more preferably for 30 hrs. However, the culturing conditions may vary depending on various factors such as conditions of microorganism and should not be limited to those described here. Synthesis of choline oxidase is induced to the highest extent using IPTG or lactose with varied concentration for protein resulting in inclusion body form and/or as soluble fraction.

Choline oxidase got accumulated inside the recombinant cells when cultured in the above mentioned method. The resultant fermentation broth was then treated to separate the cells from the broth using centrifugation method and or tangential flow filtration employing hollow fiber or filtration cassettes. The harvested cells were either ground or lysed to extract the enzyme. The grinding of cells can be carried out in a conventional manner, for example, by means of mechanical grinding, auto-digestion with a solvent, freezing, ultrasonic treatment, pressurization, or the like. Then the enzyme was isolated and purified either by conducted by combining known methods such as salting-out with ammonium sulfate, precipitation with an organic solvent such as ethanol, etc., ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, affinity chromatography, and the like.

For example, bacterial cells were harvested by subjecting the resultant culture to centrifugation or tangential filtration, washed, suspended in 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0), ground with sonicator and centrifuged. The supernatant as cell—free extract was then purified using, for example, fractionation with ammonium sulfate or using affinity chromatography Ni-NTA chromatography.

Molecular weight of the modified choline oxidase encoded by either Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, or Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no. 2., when determined by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) was about 70,000 Da (70.0 kDa).

EXAMPLE 2 Enzyme Activity Assay of Modified Choline Oxidase

Choline oxidase activity was measured by two step enzymatic reaction. Choline oxidase catalyses the production of betaine, followed by production of quinoneimine through the hydrogen produced in the first enzymatic reaction.

Reaction 1 was catalyzed by choline oxidase:

Reaction 2 was catalyzed by peroxidase:

Each 100 ml of reaction mixture comprised of Tris buffer (97 mM), Choline chloride (0.14 M), EDTA (33 μM), KCl (2.2 mM), 4-Aminoantipyrine (48 mM), Phenol (2.1 mM), and Peroxidase (5 U/ml).

Enzymes were assayed by pipetting 3.0 ml of reaction mixture into a cuvette (d=1.0cm) and equilibrate at 37° C. for about 5 minutes followed by addition of 0.05 ml of the enzyme solution* and mix by gentle inversion. The increase in optical density at 500 nm against the working solution for 3 to 4 minutes in a spectrophotometer thermostated at 37° C., was recorded and the LOD per minute was calculated from the initial linear portion of the curve.

Calculation

Activity can be calculated by using the following formula:

${{Volume}\mspace{14mu}{activity}\mspace{14mu}\left( {U/{ml}} \right)} = {\frac{\Delta\;{{OD}/\min} \times {Vt} \times {df}}{12.0 \times {1/2} \times 1.0 \times {Vs}} = {\Delta\;{{OD}/\min} \times 10.17 \times {df}}}$ Weight activity (U/mg)=(U/ml)×1/C

-   -   Vt: Total volume (3.05 ml)     -   Vs: Sample volume (0.05 ml)     -   12.0: Millimolar extinction coefficient of quinoneimine dye         under the assay conditions (F/micromole)     -   ½: Factor based on the fact that one mole of H₂O₂ produces half         a mole of quinoneimine dye     -   1.0: Light path length (cm)     -   Df: Dilution factor     -   C: Enzyme concentration in final sample dilution (mg/ml)

Specific activity shall be defined as micromole H₂O₂ which is formed in 1 min by 1 mg enzyme [U/mg].

EXAMPLE 3 Determination of Optimal Ph of Choline Oxidase Activity

The optimal pH for activity of choline oxidase was determined by adding choline oxidase to a mixture of 100 mM Tris-HCl buffer, potassium phosphate buffer, water (pH 5.0 to 10.0), incubating for 10 minutes at 25° C., and measuring the activity of choline oxidase as detailed under Example 2 (37° C., pH 8.0).

As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, modified choline oxidases encoded by SEQ. ID no.1 and SEQ. ID no.2 are stable in the pH range of about 6.0 to 10 .0,preferably pH 7.0 to 9.0. The optimal pH is about pH 8.0.

EXAMPLE 4 Determination of Optimal Temperatue of Choline Oxidase Activity

The optimal temperature for activity of choline oxidase was determined by adding choline oxidase to a mixture of 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) at temperature ranging from 10 to 65° C., incubating the mixture under the same condition for 0-120 minutes and measuring the activity of choline oxidase as detailed under Example 2(37° C., pH 8.0).

Short-Term Thermal Stability

The modified choline oxidases encoded by SEQ. ID no.1 and SEQ. ID no. 2were tested for activity at various temperatures after incubating at the respective temperatures for 20 mins As depicted in FIG. 3, both the modified choline oxidases showed stability at a temperature range of 10-50° C,preferably 25-45° C., more preferably at about 37° C.

Long-Term Thermal Stability

The modified choline oxidases encoded by SEQ. ID no.1 and SEQ. ID no. 2 were tested for activity at 37° C. over a period of 120 mins As depicted in FIG. 4, both the modified choline oxidases enzyme reaction proceeds efficiently till up to 120 mins

EXAMPLE 5 Thermal Stability of Modified Choline Oxidase Tagged with A Ligand or A Tag

The native gene of choline oxidase derived from Arthrobacter globiformis and the modified gene of choline oxidase derived from Arthrobacter globiformis, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, was expressed using T7 expression system encoding either the native enzyme or the modified enzyme, choline oxidase, along with a tag, more particularly His-tag. The activity of choline oxidase was determined by adding choline oxidase to a mixture of 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) at 45° C., incubating the mixture under the same condition for 0-120 minutes and measuring the activity of choline oxidase every 30 minutes as detailed under Example 2(37° C., pH 8.0).

FIG. 5 depicts a graph comparing the activities of native choline oxidase derived from Arthrobacter globiformis and of modified choline oxidase encoded by Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1., when the enzymes were tagged with a ligand or a tag, more particularly His-tag.

The result clearly shows that His-tagged modified choline oxidase was significantly more stable than the His-tagged native choline oxidase. The modified enzyme was stable at 45° C. for more than 60 minutes, more appropriately for more than 30 minutes, whereas the His-tagged native enzyme lost around 80% of the activity within less than 30 minutes.

EXAMPLE 6 Betaine Production

The reaction mixture for the production of betaine contained:

-   -   a) 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8), 0.129 mole of choline, 275         units of peroxidase, and 1373 units of choline oxidase in a         final volume of 142 ml.     -   b) 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8), 2.486 mole of choline, 6300         units of peroxidase, and 31012 units of choline oxidase in a         final volume of 150 ml.

The reaction was carried at 37° C. and samples were withdrawn intermittently to analyse the conversion of choline to betaine. The enzymes source was purified choline oxidase either from Seql or the Seq 2, described above.

The amount of betaine formed was determined by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Similarly, the reactions were setup with varied concentration of substrate and enzyme and conversion were estimated using LC-MS. As depicted in FIG. 6, choline is converted to betaine with high efficiency.

TABLE 1 Estimation of the reaction products of choline oxidation with choline oxidase either Seq ID 1 or Seq ID 2 Compound Amount (Mole) A Choline added 0.129 Betaine formed 0.124 B Choline added 2.486 Betaine formed 2.467

Tri-Methyl Amine estimated in enzyme reactor:

During the above enzyme reactor setup for choline to betaine conversion the TMA was also estimated using LCMS method.

TABLE 2 Provides estimated trimethylamine (TMA) in the reaction Compound Amount (Mole) TMA - (enzyme reactor - initial sample) 0.010 TMA - (enzyme reactor - termination 0.000 sample)

As it is evident from Table 2, the presence of TMA is minimal and hence betaine produced is of high quality. 

We claim: 1) A modified gene sequence of codA gene comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQUENCE ID no.1 or SEQUENCE ID no. 2 for encoding choline oxidase; wherein the choline oxidase encoded by said nucleotide sequence has stability in the pH range 7.0 to 9.0; the choline oxidase encoded by said nucleotide sequence has stability at a temperature range of 10-50° C.; the choline oxidase encoded by said nucleotide sequence has stability at a temperature range of 10-50° C. for up to 120 minutes; and the choline oxidase thus encoded is useful to produce betaine from choline. 2) The modified gene sequence as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the modified gene sequence comprises of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1 having 70-80% similarity with codA gene derived from Arthrobacter globiformis. 3) The modified gene sequence as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the modified gene sequence comprises of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2 having 70-80% similarity with codA gene derived from Arthrobacter globiformis. 4) A method for producing betaine from choline comprising the steps of: a) making a reaction mixture comprising of choline aqueous solution, an enzyme and optionally hydrogen peroxide catalyzing agents; b) carrying out a reaction using the reaction mixture in a reactor; and c) on completion of the reaction, separating the enzyme from the mixture; wherein, the enzyme comprises choline oxidase encoded by nucleotide sequence of SEQUENCE ID no.1 or SEQUENCE ID no.2; and the method has choline to betaine conversion efficiency of 1:1 molar ratio. 5) The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, the choline aqueous solution is 1-50% by weight, more preferably 15-30% by weight. 6) The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, the hydrogen peroxide catalyzing agent is catalase or peroxidase. 7) The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, the reaction of step b) is carried at a temperature range of 20-40° C. and a pH range of 6-9. 8) The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, the reaction is carried in the presence of thermal stabilizers and/or cofactors. 9) The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein, the thermal stabilizers and/or cofactors are multivalent cations including but not limiting to KCl, and MgCl₂. 10) The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, betaine is produced enzymatically with minimal contamination of undesired trimethylamine. 